KINGSTON, N.Y. -- Four decades ago, a cadre of Catholic priests and brothers decided it was time to settle a mission in the Rondout.

At first, the building at 105 Abeel St. was a place where children, ages 4 through 14, could settle in and get some extra tutoring in subjects hard to grasp.

But soon the Mount St. Alphonsus Redemptorist priest and brothers discovered that some of those disadvantaged children not only needed educational programs but something even more basic: Food and clothing.

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It was 40 years ago this year that the People's Place, a food pantry/thrift shop was founded in the Rondout inside a rental storefront.

Since then, the agency has moved its headquarters four times and now operates out of much larger rental edifice at St. James Street and Broadway in Kingston.

Today a growing list of people -- the working poor, elderly, unemployed, downtrodden, and those with a simple yen for vintage garb -- to the People's Place for food and inexpensive clothing.

"I think that we have easily provided millions of meals over the years to city of Kingston residents and those living in the greater Kingston area," said Christine Hein, the executive director of the agency.

People's Place serves food to the needy, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. each weekday and the first Saturday of each month.

Hein said the agency operates on donations, but also a $14,500 yearly federal grant that usually runs out quickly. The number of meals served continues to grow, Hein said.

In October alone, the number of people served was up 42 percent over the same month in 2011.

"It is a double-edge sword," Hein said. "It is distressing that we are seeing more people in need. But on the flip side we are reaching out and we are getting more referrals. It is not just the unemployed but it is the working poor and seniors. There is a whole realm of people who need our services."

Mary Netter, who helps run People's Place, said that 98 percent of the people served are living below poverty levels. If they meet income guidelines, they are given three meals for three days. The amount of food given depends on the size of a family, she said.

"We have so many families and when they come in with three or four children they are just trying to feed their kids," said Netter, who is a retired school nurse who had worked at Kingston High School. "Most are very thankful, very grateful. It never is they are just grabbing it and running."

Netter is one of about 43 active volunteers who work at People's Place, usually 15 a day, mostly women.

These days, the People's Place is attempting to stock their shelves with healthier food, fruits among them. In August, the federal government put a ban on buying high-sodium items, mostly canned goods, with the $14,500 grant received by People's Place.

Normally, People's Place purchases its food from the Hudson Valley Food Bank in Albany, Hein said.

Hein said the agency still makes purchases with its own donations and will accept them from people wishing to donate. The agency has also established a table inside where food can be picked up on a daily basis.

There is no income eligibility to buy clothing at the thrift store. The variety of children's and adult clothes range from $1 to $2. The money made from the thrift store is used to purchase food for the pantry.

People's Place does not put damaged clothing on its hangars, Hein said.

"You should be able to feel good about what you are wearing," Hein said. "They are spending money and nobody wants to buy something with holes in it."

For Hein and Netter, the work is rewarding.

"I think (we) are just positively affecting people in the community who just need a little sunshine in their day," Hein said.